Cozying up at home with cookies and hot chocolate is one of the best ways to spend a cold winter day. Living in a dorm without an oven shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on that! Here are five treats you can make with just a microwave and a few simple ingredients.
3-Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake
Mug cakes often require tons of ingredients that students don’t have in their dorms, but not this one! All you need are Oreos, milk and baking powder. First, put four Oreos in a mug and crush them up as much as you can (a good way to let out some stress!). Then, add three tablespoons of milk and mix until you get a paste-like texture. Next, stir in ¼ teaspoon of baking powder. Finally, pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds on high, and you’re done! Super easy and super delicious.
Microwave Rice Krispie Treats
Who doesn’t love a Rice Krispie treat!? The best thing about this recipe is that you can make multiple for your friends or roommates. Add 1 ⅓ cups (or measure as your heart desires) of mini marshmallows to a bowl with one tablespoon of butter. Put this in your microwave and heat for 30 seconds, or until melted. Then, let it cool for 2-3 minutes so your cereal doesn’t get weird from the hot marshmallows. After that, add one heaping cup of Rice Krispies (or once again, measure with your heart) and stir it into the melted marshmallows. Finally, scoop this mixture onto any buttered plate, tray or container, and flatten it out. Once it’s hardened, it’s ready to cut up and give to your friends (or eat them all yourself—I promise I won’t tell).
S’mores Dip for One (or More!)
Want to use some of those leftover marshmallows from your Rice Krispie treat recipe? Make this s’mores dip! Grab a handful of chocolate chips, or any chocolate you have, and add it to your dish of choice. Pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then, add your mini marshmallows on top and put back in the microwave for another 15 seconds. And that’s it! Grab some graham crackers and dig in. This one is great because it only takes one minute to make, and you can make as big or as small of a batch as you’d like.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
This classic sweet treat is perfect if you want something delicious and easy. Grab a bowl and some chocolate—it can be milk, white or dark—and microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between each one until fully melted. Then, grab your strawberries, rinse them thoroughly and dry them with paper towels. Finally, dip your strawberries in the chocolate and set them on a parchment paper-lined plate to harden. Or, if you’re impatient like me, dip them and eat them as you go!
Microwave Baked Apples
Missing apple pie? These warm, soft apples covered in sugar and cinnamon will definitely satisfy that craving. Grab a firm apple and scoop out the core, leaving the bottom of the apple intact. Then, mix together one tablespoon of brown sugar, a half-teaspoon of cinnamon and a half-teaspoon of nutmeg in a bowl. Add the mixture to the middle of the apple and place a teaspoon of butter on top. Microwave for 3 ½ – 4 minutes, or until the apple is tender. Let it sit for two minutes to cool, and you’re done! Enjoy this nostalgic and cozy treat.
See? Just because you don’t have a kitchen or an oven doesn’t mean you can’t make yourself a sweet treat! Get comfy in your dorm with these quick and easy recipes this winter. Stay warm and enjoy!
Written By Mirren Grimason ’29, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs